Locking table placard &amp; drop cover

ABSTRACT

This is a casino table mounted device with the dual purpose of identifying the table and controlling access to the cash drop. The placard displays the table id number for security and floor personnel. The opening in the device is lockable in either the open or closed position to control access to the cash vault below the table during play and when the table is closed.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1) Field of Invention

Dealers at gaming tables typically allow patrons to exchange cash forpoker chips while they are seated at their table. The most common methodof securing the cash after the exchange is for the dealer to lay itacross an opening in the table and push it through the top and into asecure vault (drop box) under the table directly beneath the opening.

Additionally the tables are uniquely marked with placards by the casinoto identify each table. This marking is used to identify the table forcasino personnel and security cameras.

The present invention provides a method to secure the table opening witha simple locking system that also includes the unique table identifier.

2) Description of the Prior Art

The current method of locking the opening is with an additional lockinside the drop box. There is no table top locking device for theopening.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention allows a dealer to control access to the cash dropopening in a gaming table with a table top mounted locking cover.

A locking device in accordance with the present invention includes thetable placard.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention may be better understood as detailed in thedescription given here and by reference to the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a an exploded view of the device;

FIG. 2 is a top view;

FIG. 3 is a side view, all sides being symmetrical;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of a LockingTable Placard and Drop Cover in accordance with the present inventionhas been shown.

FIG. 1 shows the primary components of the device. The body includesfive flat components that are stacked. The top component 1 is the cover.It includes a first opening 6 for the cash to pass through and a secondopening 7 for a cam lock to be fitted. This top component 1 can be madefrom transparent material 8 to reveal the unique table code beneath it.The placard 2 shows the unique table id. It also includes the firstopening 6 for the cash and the second opening 7 for the cam lock.Alternatively, the top component 1 could be opaque and the table idprinted on its surface. A movable center component 3 will createblocking of the first opening 6 when the cam lock is set to the lockedposition. The moveable center component 7 will also be designed so thatit does not block the first opening 6 when the cam lock is turned to theunlocked position. A center frame component 4 creates a fixed outline 10to guide the movable center component 3. The cam of the cam lock willfit in a cutout 9 in the moveable center component 3 to actuate theblocking and unblocking of said first opening 6. The bottom component 5creates a flat surface for the moveable center component 3 to glideupon. It also has the first opening 6 for the cash and a second opening7 for the cam lock.

FIG. 2 illustrates that condition when the cam lock 11 is neither fullylocked nor unlocked and the moveable center component 3 partially blocksthe first opening 6. All components, with the exception of the moveablecenter component 3, have through holes in the corners to provide meansof alignment of the components and attaching to the table top.

FIG. 3 depicts a side view the components stacked together.

1. A device that secures the cash drop opening in a gaming table with asurface mounted lockable device with blocking means.
 2. A locking deviceas in claim 1 that also includes the table identification.
 3. A lockingdevice as in claim 1 that uses a center moveable component that iscontrolled by the cam of a cam lock.